A Google-commissioned study conducted by marketing research firm AlphaBeta quantified the economic impact of services like Google Maps and Google Earth by looking at the benefits and value geospatial technology brought to consumers, businesses and society in 2016 in Saudi Arabia.
According to the study, modern mapping services have the potential to unleash consumer benefits worth over SR5.2 billion ($1.4 billion) per year by enabling people to:
l Travel faster: Digital maps reduced travel time by 16 percent on average in Saudi Arabia, placing the value of time saved at SR11 billion.
l Save fuel: By reducing travel time, digital maps helped save around 29 liters of fuel per car, worth SR23 in Saudi Arabia per year, that is 2.5 billion liters of fuel, worth SR1.9 billion in total.
l Be safer: Around 41 percent of digital map users in the Kingdom state it helps them identify security facilities (such as police stations).
l Speed up shopping: Saudi consumers save over 110 million hours per year from more efficient purchasing decisions. The value of time saved is SR4 billion (based on local wage rates).
“We want to help people in the region understand what Google Maps can do for them. To do that, we need to understand maps today and the impact they have on people’s lives, which is why we worked with AlphaBeta to conduct this study. While the results reveal great benefits for consumers, businesses, and society, there remains more potential to be unlocked by geospatial technology,” said Selim Edde, head of government relations and public policy at Google.
The report also outlines three recommendations key to tapping into the full potential of geospatial services:
l Governments can enable the promotion, adoption and implementation of the emerging applications of geospatial technology and data by adopting policies that support the collection, sharing, and use of geospatial data and services.
l Academia and civil society organizations can utilize geospatial technology to improve the efficiency of their major activities. Some applications include city planning, tracking environmental pollution, and maintaining important information on health and diseases.
l Businesses could increase their investment in and use of geospatial services to enhance the value and productivity of their business, attract new customers and boost sales.
Google releases study quantifying economic impact of digital maps in KSA
Google releases study quantifying economic impact of digital maps in KSA
EtonHouse debuts in KSA with two Riyadh campuses
The Singapore-headquartered EtonHouse International Education Group has expanded into Saudi Arabia with the launch of EtonHouse International Education Arabia.
In partnership with the Royal Commission for Riyadh City, it will launch two purpose-built campuses in Granada, Riyadh in September.
The first school is EtonHouse International Pre-School, a Reggio Emilia-inspired bilingual preschool for children aged 18 months to six years, designed to nurture early curiosity through inquiry and play.
The second is a K–12 international school offering a full academic pathway through to IGCSEs and A-Levels, built to support long-term, future-ready learning.
The campuses represent a major milestone in Saudi Arabia’s education transformation, being the first Reggio Emilia-inspired schools, bringing world-renowned pedagogies, bilingual immersion, and community-focused design into a local context deeply aligned with Saudi cultural values and Vision 2030.
EtonHouse’s two new campuses feature thoughtfully curated learning environments inspired by Saudi Arabia’s rich history, culture and landscapes, all rooted in the Reggio Emilia approach in the early years and primary.
At the pre-school, children will explore open-ended, inquiry-driven spaces including a media and light studio, indoor playground, atelier, and piazza designed to foster creativity and collaboration.
At the international school, older students will benefit from expanded facilities that include a swimming pool, a science lab (Living Lab), and an outdoor football field, supporting both academic and physical development.
Examples of EtonHouse’s unique learning spaces include:
• The Elemental Landscape, where children explore desert and oasis environments using microscopes, clay, and digital tools to spark scientific thinking and ecological awareness.
• The Architecture Space, inspired by Saudi heritage, encourages hands-on experimentation with light, shadow, and structure to develop spatial and mathematical understanding.
• The Living Heritage Space, immerses children in local traditions through materials like mineral pigments, cardamom, and saffron, blending culture with creative exploration.
With more than 30 years of experience and 100+ schools globally, EtonHouse is renowned for delivering world-class education grounded in child agency, cultural fluency, and future readiness. The Riyadh campuses will offer internationally recognized programs including the UK International Primary Curriculum, Singapore Mathematics, Cambridge IGCSEs, and International A-Levels, all delivered by native-speaking educators in both English and Arabic. The school will also offer Mandarin as an additional language.
Ng Yi-Xian, group CEO of EtonHouse, said: “Our launch in Riyadh is a natural evolution of EtonHouse’s mission to offer world-class, inquiry-based education rooted in local relevance. Saudi Arabia is investing boldly in its youth, and we are proud to contribute by creating schools that combine global excellence with the cultural values and ambitions of the Kingdom.
These campuses will not just serve students, but inspire a generation of learners who are confident, multilingual, and future-ready.”
In line with EtonHouse’s commitment to whole-child development, both schools will place strong emphasis on emotional well-being, life skills, and personalized learning pathways.
Parents in Riyadh can book a school tour on the group’s website to experience Riyadh’s first EtonHouse campus and register for the 2025/2026 academic year.
STC Bank named Kingdom’s ‘best digital bank’
STC Bank has been awarded the title of the “Best Digital Bank in Saudi Arabia” at the second edition of the Best in Business Awards, organized by Inc. Arabia Magazine in Riyadh.
STC Bank started off as a wallet in 2018 and serviced 14 million users before it launched as a full-fledged bank earlier this year. It saw 2 million users shift from its earlier wallet version to its banking version in just three months, witnessing unmatched customer loyalty.
STC Bank’s broader mission since its incorporation has been to build a banking experience that is not only digital and efficient, but also rooted in the behaviors, needs and expectations of Saudi society, and it is through such innovations that it continues to shape the future of financial interaction in Saudi Arabia for a large number of the Kingdom’s tech-savvy and young population.
Today, users across Saudi Arabia are used to the ease that STC Bank has brought about with it and the solutions innovated by the bank continue to see its popularity rise among corporate and retail banking customers across various segments of Saudi society.
The Best in Business awards saw its inaugural edition last year in Dubai before it moved to Riyadh this year. Organized by Inc. Arabia Magazine, a platform that is highly regarded by more than 150 million of its readers who are founders and entrepreneurs across the GCC, the awards highlight and recognize the most successful companies in each field.
stc powers up upcoming Esports World Cup
- Additionally, stc has equipped one of the largest operations centers in the region with ultra-high-resolution 168 MP displays, enabling real-time monitoring of network performance and service utilization across all EWC facilities
stc Group has announced its early readiness to support the upcoming 2025 edition of the Esports World Cup, running from July 8 to Aug. 24. As a founding partner of EWC, stc will deploy cutting-edge technology and robust infrastructure designed to deliver an exceptional, high-performance, and reliable gaming experience for participants and audiences alike.
Following its pivotal role in powering the inaugural EWC in 2024, stc is returning this year to support the world’s largest gaming event with even more advanced capabilities. Central to this year’s network infrastructure are intelligent monitoring systems featuring AI-driven traffic modeling, self-optimizing networks, and closed-loop automation, technologies that provide proactive insights and real-time network adjustments to ensure uninterrupted connectivity throughout the event.
HIGHLIGHT
As part of its comprehensive preparations, stc has deployed 27 advanced 5G towers across key tournament areas, including three towers dedicated exclusively to the event center.
As part of its comprehensive preparations, stc has deployed 27 advanced 5G towers across key tournament areas, including three towers dedicated exclusively to the event center. Within the venue buildings, an extensive indoor solutions network supported by more than 1,295 antennas will deliver high-speed 4G and 5G services, with internet speeds exceeding 2 Gbps ensuring smooth, responsive gameplay and seamless digital engagement.
Additionally, stc has equipped one of the largest operations centers in the region with ultra-high-resolution 168 MP displays, enabling real-time monitoring of network performance and service utilization across all EWC facilities. This state-of-the-art center ensures immediate incident response and optimal service quality for both participants and attendees.
To further enhance network efficiency, stc has implemented software-defined networking technologies, enabling agile, uninterrupted data flow throughout the tournament. The company has also expanded coverage across the venue by more than 20 percent compared to last year, ensuring stronger and more consistent connectivity.
Last year, stc’s integrated digital infrastructure played a crucial role in the tournament’s success, delivering 99.9 percent network availability and ultra-low latency.
This allowed players to enjoy a world-class gaming experience aligned with the highest international standards.
These efforts earned stc the prestigious “Platinum Operator” award from the Communications, Space, and Technology Commission for the eighth consecutive year, as highlighted in the annual GameMode report.
“With its continued investment and innovation, stc reaffirms its position as a key enabler of digital transformation and a driving force in the growth of esports in the Kingdom,” the group said. “Through strategic infrastructure expansion and smart technologies, stc ensures a secure, fully connected, and globally competitive digital experience at EWC 2025 and beyond.”
Oman Air joins oneworld, unlocking slew of benefits
- As a full oneworld member airline, Oman Air will provide oneworld Emerald, Sapphire, and Ruby customers with benefits including earning and redeeming miles, earning status points, priority check-in and boarding and lounge access
oneworld has welcomed Oman Air as its 15th member airline. As the flag carrier of Oman, Oman Air strengthens the alliance’s presence across the Middle East and unlocks new opportunities for global travel.
“We are proud to welcome Oman Air to the oneworld family,” said Nat Pieper, CEO of oneworld. “Oman Air brings valuable strategic reach and award-winning product and service to the alliance. This partnership opens up exciting new connections for our customers, particularly across the Gulf and South Asia, and reinforces oneworld’s position as the premium alliance for international travelers.”
oneworld customers can now access an extended network of destinations across Oman Air’s growing global schedule — including the launch of a new non-stop Muscat-Amsterdam service.
As a full oneworld member airline, Oman Air will provide oneworld Emerald, Sapphire, and Ruby customers with benefits including earning and redeeming miles, earning status points, priority check-in and boarding and lounge access. Likewise, Oman Air’s top-tier customers will gain access to oneworld priority benefits including a network of nearly 700 premium airport lounges globally, as well as newly opened oneworld branded lounges in Amsterdam’s Schiphol and Seoul’s Incheon Airports.
“Oman Air is honored to be joining the oneworld alliance, whose members and global footprint represent the best of what international travelers want to experience,” said Con Korfiatis, CEO of Oman Air. “We are thrilled to be able to welcome oneworld customers to Oman to experience our unique culture, stunning mountain excursions, beautiful beaches, and, above all, the warm hospitality of the Omani people.”
Oman Air, with its hub at Muscat International Airport, serves 42 destinations across 22 countries and territories globally, including key oneworld hubs around the world.
Zain KSA appoints Saad Al-Sadhan as chief executive
- Additionally, Al-Sadhan played a key role in the launch of Zain Cloud, supporting the digital transformation of Saudi Arabia’s public and private sectors in line with Saudi Vision 2030’s goal of building a fully integrated digital economy
Telecom and digital services provider Zain KSA announced that its board of directors has appointed Acting CEO Saad bin Abdulrahman Al-Sadhan, as the chief executive of the company, effective from July 1.
Al-Sadhan has held the position of the acting CEO of Zain KSA since August 2024. He brings more than 22 years of expertise in telecommunications and information technology. Prior to this role, he served as the chief business and wholesale officer of Zain KSA and led B2B sector growth across the company, positioning its portfolio of business solutions and services as a key enabler of the Kingdom’s digital business transformation. He also led Zain KSA’s strategic partnerships and stakeholder relations while driving the development of cutting-edge digital products and solutions.
Additionally, Al-Sadhan played a key role in the launch of Zain Cloud, supporting the digital transformation of Saudi Arabia’s public and private sectors in line with Saudi Vision 2030’s goal of building a fully integrated digital economy. He was also instrumental in developing a comprehensive digital ecosystem that brings together innovative telecom services and cloud solutions, underpinned by advanced 5G technologies. Additionally, he strengthened Zain KSA’s business and wholesale operations, enhancing network capabilities through strategic investments aimed at meeting the full range of market demands in these segments.
Al-Sadhan also played a key role in advancing the enterprise sector by building Zain KSA’s integrated business services and solutions ecosystem. His efforts aligned with the company’s strategic objectives to support government entities in achieving their digital goals and to empower companies across various industries to grow, enhance their competitiveness locally and regionally, and stay ahead of the evolving business landscape.
Since joining Zain KSA in April 2016, Al-Sadhan has placed strategic partnerships at the heart of his approach.
He contributed to developing a forward-looking strategy for long-term partnerships with government entities and leading global tech companies. This has enabled the swift introduction of cutting-edge technologies into the Kingdom, while also driving knowledge transfer and localization.
Before joining Zain KSA, Al-Sadhan held various leadership roles at prominent local and international telecom companies. He holds a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from King Fahad University of Petroleum and Minerals, in addition to several professional certifications in leadership and information technology, as well as a General Management Program certificate from Institut Européen d’Administration des Affaires.
